It's hard to believe, but the holiday season is just around the corner, and now is the perfect time to start planning your holiday programs! Getting a head start ensures a smooth, impactful, and stress-free awarding season for you and your employees.
Here are the top three things to start considering right now to prepare for your holiday awards:
1. Lock Down Your Budget & Award Amount
Clarity on budget is the foundation of any successful holiday program.
- Determine the "How Much": How many points will you be awarding per employee? Make sure this amount is meaningful and aligns with your overall budget and company philosophy.
- Get Approval: Don't wait until the last minute! Take the time now to get your budget and award amount approved by your finance team or department heads.
2. Check Your Award Network Options
The best part of an Awardco reward is giving employees choice. The holidays are the perfect time to ensure your award network is fully stocked with appealing options.
- Popular Favorites: Double-check that options like Amazon, eGift Cards (which allow employees to select their preferred retailer), and Experiences are all enabled for your programs. These options are always a huge hit during the holiday season.
- Global Reach: If you have employees around the world, confirm your global redemption options are set up to ensure everyone can get a reward they truly want.
3. Plan for Seamless Administration
Make reporting and program management easy by planning your setup now.
- Dedicated Program: Set up a specific "Holiday" budget and program in your Awardco platform. This keeps your holiday spending and recognition distinct, making reporting and year-end tax prep much cleaner.
- Impact Measurement: While planning, consider the intended impact of your holiday award and how you'll measure the program's success.
Getting these steps out of the way now means you'll be able to launch your holiday recognition when the time comes without any last-minute scrambling.
Want a more detailed guide? For a thorough walkthrough on planning your holiday recognition program, check out our Holiday Recognition Programs support article.
Ready to start planning or have a great tip of your own to share? Drop it in the comments below!
